Ohio GOP chairman plans to retire in May

CLEVELAND — The Ohio Republican Party chairman has informed GOP leaders he’ll retire May 31 but plans to stay involved in politics through 2014, when statewide officeholders are elected.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported Monday that GOP Chairman Bob Bennett announced his plans in a letter.

Mr. Bennett was chairman from 1988 to 2009 and returned last year after Gov. John Kasich’s supporters ousted Chairman Kevin DeWine. Mr. Bennett won a two-year term as chairman but said he wanted a successor be in place before the 2014 elections.

The newspaper says Mr. Bennett asked the Republican State Central Committee to let him serve as “chairman emeritus.